Creating a play to put Jeremiah Smith in space is always a smart decision. Ohio State’s first drive against Oregon produced explosive results.

On the Buckeyes’ third play of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Oregon, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly chose a play action with a slide route for Smith, giving him plenty of room to run. Smith made the catch, broke through two consecutive defenders and glided 45 yards to the end zone to give Ohio State a 7-0 lead.

JEREMIAH SMITH TD

OHIO STATE SCORES ON THEIR OPENING DRIVE pic.twitter.com/UC7BQAzReT

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 1, 2025

Smith added a spectacular downfield catch over several Duck defenders on Ohio State’s second drive, although the Buckeyes had to punt the ball later. In just two possessions to start the game, Smith collected three catches for 86 yards and a score. He wasn’t finished yet.

The Florida native broke wide on the back of an Oregon coverage and Howard threw a rainbow into his chest for a 43-yard touchdown, giving him five receptions for 161 yards and two less than five minutes into the second quarter gave touchdowns.

JEREMIAH SMITH IS UNREAL

He finds the end zone again pic.twitter.com/N8J1f9giQF

– ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2025

The first-half burst continued a spectacular freshman year for Smith, who already set the U.S. record for freshman receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns en route to the first-ever 1,000-yard receiving season by a freshman in school history -Ohio State had set up.

Stay tuned Eleven warriors More updates on Ohio State’s rematch against Oregon in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl.